ATTENTION!!

The Long Island Sound Study has launched a new version of the Environmental Indicators section. The data below may be out of date. Please visit and bookmark the new section here to see the most recent data.

WHAT DOES THIS INDICATE?

Watershed restoration strategies are effective ways to support vibrant and healthy aquatic life, and to minimize the negative effects of erosion, sedimentation, and flooding in the basins that drain into the Sound as well as the Sound and its embayments. They are often implemented by municipalities working together. According to the 2003 Long Island Sound Agreement, by 2010, CT and NY will have worked toward a goal of having 50 percent of their respective areas in the watershed develop or implement watershed restoration strategies. So far 38 percent of the CT and NY watershed areas have reached that goal.

Long Island Sound’s watershed extends to six states and covers more than 16,000 square miles. The CT portion of the watershed covers 5,150 square miles (most of the state) and the NY portion of the watershed covers 478.21 square miles.

STATUS

Since 2007 when the first map was created of watershed managements in CT, 15 (approx. 30%) of the original 50 have improved their status. The remainder maintained their 2007 status. Just after the publication of this map several watersheds advertised kick-off meetings to launch a watershed management proposal, to improve their plan or strategies, or develop interest in creating a management organization. These watersheds include the Pequonnock River, Saugatuck River, Five Mile River, and the Mianus River. If any concrete improvements to management strategy came out of the meetings that affected their status according to our map’s legend, they are not shown on the map, however they will be displayed on future updates.